Just one day following the three-year anniversary of acquiring the defenseman, the Avalanche have locked up Devon Toews with a seven-year extension carrying a $7.25 million average annual value.
The deal, which totals $50.75 million and kicks in next season, makes Toews the 29th highest-paid defenseman for the 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old is in the final year of the four-year contract that was signed two weeks after Colorado acquired him.
“I couldn’t be more excited to remain with the Avalanche and continue to build upon what we’ve accomplished so far,” Toews said in a statement released by the team.
Oct. 12, 2020: Devon Toews was traded to the Avs two days after his wedding. He was very upset with the Islanders for moving him.
Oct. 13, 2023: Toews signs a 7-year extension to remain in Colorado.
— Aarif Deen (@runwriteAarif) October 13, 2023
Toews has been a staple of Colorado’s blueline since the trade, forming arguably the NHL’s most formidable pair alongside superstar Cale Makar. In his first three seasons with the club, Toews has finished 11th, 8th and 14th in Norris Trophy voting as the league’s best defenseman.
In 200 regular-season games with the Avs, Toews has collected 29 goals, 110 assists and 139 points. His plus-122 rating is the best in the NHL and a whopping 30 more than second place (Matthew Tkachuk, plus-92).
He ranks 14th in points among blueliners in that time — a list topped by Makar (198 points).
“Getting a deal done with Devon at the start of the season was a priority for us,” general manager Chris MacFarland said. “He has emerged as one of the best defensemen in the NHL and is a huge part of the core of this team.”
Toews has also been a dominant force in the postseason. He logged five goals and 15 points in the Avs’ 20-game run to the Stanley Cup in 2022 and pitched in with a game-winning goal the following season, both while logging heavy minutes. Toews made it clear on the first day of camp that his priority was to remain in Colorado, and ideally get a contract signed before the start of the season.
The deal was finalized less than 48 hours after the Avs’ 5-2 victory on opening night.
“Denver has become home to my family and we love being a part of this community,” Toews said. “I’m excited to get this deal done and focus on our goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Colorado.”
